Trade Show Sneak Peak!

Artigem Replacement Services

Mr. Kurt Artinger, Founder and CEO
Artigem Replacement Services – Investor

On Monday, Belleville CEO went on a tour of our final home base, Artigem Replacement Services. Mr. Artinger toured us around the refurbished building and showed us how they have changed it. Their offices are very unique using motivational colors and designs. Afterwards, we went back to a spacious room (our new meeting place) and Mr. Artinger share how his business started and answered questions.

Written by Emma Gregowicz

Mr. Patrick McKeehan

Director of Metro East SBDC
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville - Friend of CEO

On Tuesday, Mr. McKeehan dropped by for a final time before the Belleville CEO Elevator Pitch Competition on March 21st. Everyone had a chance to give their pitches and heard feedback from their classmates and Mr. McKeehan. We have all improved since first starting in February and hope to win the prize money in both our competition, and that of the SWIC Competition coming up in April.

Written by Jessica Stern

Mr. Mike Wenzel

Managing Partner
Wenzel & Associates, Ltd. - Investor

Mr. Wenzel came to our class on Wednesday. He is an accountant and talked to us about all his wonderful adventures throughout his life. Additionally, he asked the class about their businesses and offered advice on various topics and questions asked. Overall it was a very beneficial visit!

Written by Paige Montgomery

Just a Reminder

Our door is always open. Entrepreneurs, visitors, guests, and friends are welcome and highly encouraged to join us. Drop in and share your story with our students or participate in our class discussions. Check out the schedule on the website.

If you are interested in hosting our students for an educational visit about your business operations or would like to speak to the class and share your story, please email the facilitator, Julie Siebers, at jsiebers@bths201.org or call or text her at 618.719.3177.

Journal Tidbits

I have been telling anyone who will listen that I cannot explain how happy I am to be at Artigem Replacement Services/Peer 151. The environment is so comforting and our meeting room is big! On Monday, the class moved from Barcom Security Services, to their final home base of the year. Right away, I could tell our final destination was going to be a memorable one, and it already has been. Mr. Kurt Artinger (owner) took us on a tour of his business. Right away, I loved his set up. The architecture is beyond anything I’ve ever seen. He has a loft for an office! But the best thing I saw was the stage and the original backdrop from when it was first constructed. We dove into his story of creation and what it took to keep the business sustaining. He spoke about converting to new changes, as all successful businesses do. His business started to use the internet as a medium for communication, which led to making his network bigger for more business. Mr. Artinger is so cool in so many ways. I love to hear other businesses’ cultures. At Artigem they celebrate mistakes. His logic behind mistakes is that they are learning opportunities. Although the jewelry replacement services doesn’t interest me, his passion for it is still so inspirational.

On Tuesday, Mr. McKeehan stopped by for the last time before our big elevator pitch competition on Monday. The class has officially had the total experience of preparation. It is not easy doing pitches! They really take a lot of practice, thought, and knowing your numbers. Every time I give my pitch, there is something new to learn from that time. I have to make sure that I mention all the necessary information while also wowing the judges with an exciting pitch.

On Wednesday, Mr. Michael Wenzel gave us a discussion about accounting. As we all know, accounting is a major component of having a successful business. What I loved most about his time with us, was how much he engaged with the class. The best thing I got out of his presentation was life lessons such as, always doing what you say you will do and never stop doing what you believe is right.

This first week was incredible and I’m so excited for tomorrow!!!!

 Written by Malik Marks-McRath

We had an eventful week at CEO. We started at  a new location, Artigem Replacement Services. We had been to the building for a visit before, but to visit Peer 151. It was interesting to hear Mr. Artinger talk about his business and the architecture of the building. They used all kinds of old items from the YMCA in their business there. I liked other things Mr. Artinger had to say also like, “You have to cultivate and innovate creation.” He said that he hates to spend money, and that is something I agree on. I work hard for the money I earn and spending it is not something I like doing. Something Mr. Artinger said that was really inspirational was that “mistakes are a learning opportunity”. He said that his employees are not punished, but encouraged to try their best and if they make mistakes it is okay. I am looking forward to the rest of the year at Artigem Replacement Services.

Something interesting about the speakers we have heard from and gone to is that most of them have lived in Belleville or the area their entire lives. Michael Wenzel grew up in Belleville and was in the baby boomer era. He started young as an entrepreneur and has continued throughout his whole life. I found it unique that he does not think of himself as a CEO because his company does not have ranks. He gave the class a little insight when hiring employees. “You have a feel about a person when you are hiring them for a job.” He said that within about five minutes he can tell if a person will be a good employee for the job he is hiring for. He brought up Ben Hogan the pro golfer and since I golf I actually have learned a bit about him myself. “I outwork them, outthink them, and intimidate them.” He said he does a great job at the first two. Keeping your word on something you say you are going to do is very important. Mr. Wenzel was very adamant about this as well.

My business is coming together. I finally picked a logo, I have started messing around more with designing, and even sold one monogram to a friend. I made all of my social media accounts and email account and am getting close to launching. I have a meeting with Mr. Lowery tomorrow and I am very excited to share with him all of my progress.

Written by Heather Gosebrink

This week we moved to Peer 151, as well as heard from Mr. Artinger, Mr. McKeehan, and Mr. Wenzel. Mr. Artinger’s business is very unique from the other business we have heard from. His business consists of getting the price of people’s jewelry for the insurance company and sometimes even repairing the piece of jewelry. The building was scheduled for demolishing but he came and bought the building for only $1. The building was originally the Belleville YMCA and Belleville was getting ready to tear it down and make it into a parking lot. Mr. Artinger talked about how it cost more to tear down a building than to keep it. That’s how he got it for just $1.

On Tuesday, Mr. McKeehan came and we all practiced our elevator pitches. He guided us through, and told us some things we need to elaborate on. I really don’t care about winning the elevator pitch but I am going to practices as well as talk about all the points I need to cover. Mr. McKeehan has been a great help with helping everyone with their personal business; whether it was with their business plan or elevator pitch. I know I couldn’t have done it without him.

On Wednesday, we heard from Mr. Wenzel who is the owner of an accounting firm. A little about his past; he was raised in Belleville, he attended Althoff High School before going to college at SIUE and graduating in 1970. He was introduced into the business world at a young age by his father. He would go work for his father’s competitor over the summer. Now that Mr. Wenzel owns his own firm he has developed his own culture and policies. Some of which are to always get back to clients in 24 hours no matter what, and if he says he is going to do something he does it. By doing this he has developed a lot of trust with his clients. Another thing Mr. Wenzel said is “be in control of your life”. What he means by this is to not let other people push you or your business around.

Written by Montez Douglas

…When Mr. Artinger said he was going to take us on a tour, I didn’t think it was going to look as cool as it did. I love the way he set everything up. That gem shaped building was such a good idea. I really liked that it was just sitting in the middle of the room. I also liked the back of his office. It was a cool way to get away but not having to leave the building. When I own my own business, I’m going to try to get an old building like he did and incorporate the old things like he did. I also really like how he is so helpful to us. I really like that he takes time out of his day to come in and talk to us because he is really helpful.

I wish I would stop forgetting about my elevator pitch because Mr. McKeehan is so helpful. Today Renae and I are meeting so we can work on it. I’m so nervous for the pitch because I get so nervous talking in front of people.

Written by Emma Gregowicz

"If you truly pour your heart into what you believe in, even it if makes you vulnerable, amazing things can and will happen."  One of my favorite actresses, Emma Watson, said this quote.  When I saw this statement, I automatically thought of the CEO program and how it has changed me in a way I could have not have imagined.  I am learning to not only believe in myself, but also love myself.  It has been a struggle for me to grasp the idea that I am wonderful just the way I am.  Some days are harder than others, but I persevere through it. 

This week was a week about believing in yourself.  That is why I chose the quote.  Patrick McKeehan and Michael Wenzel visited the class and taught us what the rsult of hard work can bring to our lives. Patrick McKeehan had the opportunity to visit CEO on Tuesday to help us with out elevator pitches.  We learned that practice is key.  If we practice, we will become more comfortable giving the pitch to investors and other business people.  We also have to have conviction.  Our businesses are like stories.  There is a beginning and end to them.  Believing in our own businesses will make other people see the passion inside of our souls for it.  Patrick McKeehan was very helpful and hopefully our elevator pitches will be on par for the competition.

Michael Wenzel told us about how he went into accountancy and discovered what he truly wanted to do with his life.  One thing that actually stuck in my mind from his visit was taking control of our own lives.  No one else is living it.  If we do not love what you are doing, then take control and figure out what we love.  He went through a lot to put his life where it is now.  He did this by choosing what he wanted to do on his own terms and no one else's.

With my personal business, I am struggling a little.  My heart and soul is in this business and I have thought what if I just give up.  It is too late to give up now, though.  I am in too deep and have done so much work to throw it all away now.  I had no idea how expensive plastic molding is and figuring financials is difficult when you practically have none.  I have sacrificed playing my senior year of softball to focus in more on my product.  The idea was the easiest part, but implementing it is the real challenge.  I am learning, though, business is not an easy route to venture on.  I will stumble multiple times.  It is how I will get back up from those failures is truly how I become successful.  My business is finally getting somewhere and I am praying this spirit increases within these last couple of weeks before the trade show.

I have said this before and I will say it again.  CEO has changed my life for the better.  I have created friendships with people I had no idea I would be friends with.  Business is what I want to do with my life.  I want to experience what else is out there in the world.  I am gradually learning to love myself as a person-inside and out.  I could not thank the program enough for letting me discovering what I truly love in life.  It is an experience I would never forget.

Written by Sandy Amorado

Monday we started fresh at our final home base at Artigem Replacement services. His space that he has for his business is very fun and inviting. He has a ton of bright cheerful colors, he repurposed a bunch of original artifact from the building, and he is very involved. In his business there are now 43 employees. His business creates jewelry that may have been lost or stolen. It also talks with insurance companies, and also they make custom jewelry. I thought it was very interesting when Jessica asked Kurt if he had an elevator pitch ready and his response shocked me. He said it depends on my audience. I find it odd that we are trying to pitch something to audiences that may not be our target audience. He says you have to have value to what you are pitching. Something that I learned from him was that he is all about feedback and I NEVER thought about getting feedback from an audience after you pitch something so you can see if it struck them or not. Another key point was that he said you have to make everything so a four year old could understand. I think that, that is smart because then everyone is the same page and can understand everything.

Tuesday: Patrick came one last time before the trade show. I thought this was helpful because now I feel like I can perfect my pitch before Monday. Also I am going to meet with Mr. Mentzer to work on creating the trade show shirt. I think this shirt is going to be a huge hit! It is going to have a lot of bright vibrant colors. It is going to have all of the names of the students in our class and much more!

Wednesday: We had Mike Wenzel came in. I thought he gave some good advice. I like his view on high school. He said, “You learn what you DO NOT want to do in high school.” 

Thursday: UPDATE!!!! I have sold 60 shirts. After paying Joe to get them made I will have $424.50 in profit. I am so excited!!! I think that I will sell a lot at the trade show. Besides that I have entered my entries into my financial entries. I made it look all professional.

Friday: This day was all about practicing elevator pitches so we can kill it on Monday. I so think that I am so ready to win!!!

Written by Paige Montgomery